Auxbeam XP-Ultra Ditch Lights: Were They Worth It?
AutoMotoNation / Tested on my van
Yes, for my setup. After using these 3-inch amber and white lights at the beach, while camping, and in the woods, I’m happy with what they do for the money. The wiring plugs together, the metal housings feel solid, and I like the amber mode. The biggest install snag was a mounting bolt that was too long for my separate hood bracket.
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The lights in this review
Light up your next outing.
Auxbeam XP-Ultra 3-inch amber and white LED pods. See the current price and check the kit details before ordering.
Shop the lights on Amazon →Affiliate link · Price and availability may change.
Watch the full review
What I liked in real use
Amber is my favorite mode, and it’s the one I reach for most in the woods. The lights also offer white, combined amber and white, and flashing modes. I haven’t found much use for the flashing modes in my own setup.
The video shows the lights in actual use. That’s useful for seeing my setup, but it isn’t a controlled brightness test against other brands. Camera exposure and the scene can change how bright a light looks.
The wiring: simple plugs, but routing takes thought
I kept the supplied switch and used the long wiring harness. The light plugs needed to reach the engine bay, the switch needed to reach the cab, and the power leads needed to reach the battery and ground. The harness includes an inline fuse and relay.
Finding a route into the cab was the awkward part on my van. I used a hole in the battery box and ran the switch wiring down the dash and beneath the floorboard. Your vehicle may have a better existing route through the firewall. The video shows my route, not a universal install plan.
The ready-made connectors are a big reason I like this kit. In the video, I compare them with a cheaper wiring setup that would need cutting, joining, and weatherproofing. That’s a comparison with the setup shown, not a claim that every cheaper light kit comes without plugs.
The hood mount and the bolt that didn’t fit
I didn’t want to drill mounting holes in the hood, so I bought separate inexpensive brackets that clamp around its edge. One bolt was too long to work with that bracket. I replaced it with shorter hardware from my spare roof-rack parts.
The bracket lets me adjust the light left and right, while the light’s own mount handles up and down. Once aimed, the bolts need to hold the position firmly.
See the hood mounts I used on Amazon → (affiliate link)
What does the price look like per outing?
I paid about $145 for my Auxbeam kit. The video description lists $144.49 for Auxbeam and $289.95 for the Baja Designs Squadron 2.0 Sport kit. Those are the comparison prices used for this review, not live prices.
| Kit | Price used | 5 outings | 10 outings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auxbeam XP-Ultra | $144.49 | $28.90/use | $14.45/use |
| Baja Designs Squadron 2.0 Sport | $289.95 | $57.99/use | $29.00/use |
These examples divide the kit price by the number of outings. They leave out tax, brackets, and extra parts. They don’t mean you buy a new kit every year. Keep using the lights and the purchase cost per outing drops. They also don’t prove equal brightness or lifespan.
Would I buy them again?
“I think they were definitely worth it.”
For my camping and woods use, I don’t feel a need to spend twice as much. I like the all-metal housing, cooling fins, accessible hardware, and plug-in harness. At the end of the video, I said I wouldn’t change my current setup.
If your use is more demanding than mine, judge the features and performance you need. My takeaway is simple: think about how often you’ll use the lights and what you need them to do before paying more.
Want the same lights?
Check the current kit, price, and fit for your vehicle.
Check the Auxbeam kit on Amazon →Affiliate link. The hood mounts are sold separately.
Source: Chris DeDecker’s AutoMotivate video, published October 20, 2026. This post adapts the spoken review and its description into a reading guide.